Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United warms up on the sidelines during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on October 19, 2022 in Manchester, England. Ronaldo was an unused sub as United ran out 2-0 winners. Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United warms up on the sidelines during the Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on October 19, 2022 in Manchester, England. Ronaldo was an unused sub as United ran out 2-0 winners. Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United looks on prior to kick off. Getty Images
Cristiano Ronaldo of Manchester United looks on prior to kick off. Getty Images
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. Reuters
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag. Reuters
Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up. AFP
Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo during the warm up. AFP
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag talks to his players during a break in play. AFP
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag talks to his players during a break in play. AFP
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo warming up prior to kick-off. PA
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo warming up prior to kick-off. PA
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo. PA
Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo. PA
Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo speaks to teammate Fred during the warm up. AFP
Manchester United's Portuguese striker Cristiano Ronaldo speaks to teammate Fred during the warm up. AFP
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gives instructions to Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. Reuters
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag gives instructions to Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford. Reuters
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacts after the final whistle. AFP
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag reacts after the final whistle. AFP

Sport

Football

Cristiano Ronaldo dropped from Man United squad after walk-off against Spurs

Portuguese forward will miss the Premier League trip to Chelsea

The National

October 20, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss Manchester United’s Premier League trip to Chelsea, the Old Trafford club have revealed.

Ronaldo left the Old Trafford bench before full-time in United’s league win over Tottenham on Wednesday.

The 37-year-old walked down the tunnel in the 89th minute, having remained an unused substitute.

Manager Erik ten Hag had vowed to “deal with” the issue on Thursday.

The United boss has taken the lead on the decision to stand down Portugal star Ronaldo, with full club backing.

“Cristiano will not be part of the Manchester United squad for this Saturday’s game against Chelsea,” read a United statement.

“The rest of the squad is fully focused on preparing for that fixture.”

Ronaldo has cut a divisive figure at Old Trafford this term, struggling for game time and appearing annoyed at having to prove his worth to boss Ten Hag.

The decorated striker had been linked with a summer move away from United but no deal materialised.

Now Ten Hag appears to be ready to take control of the situation, omitting Ronaldo from this weekend’s trip to Stamford Bridge.

Man United v Spurs ratings

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 7 - By far the quieter goalkeeper in the first half when Spurs didn’t have a shot on target and United had 19. Alert and obviously happy with a clean sheet, but the action was at the other end. EPA
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 7 - By far the quieter goalkeeper in the first half when Spurs didn’t have a shot on target and United had 19. Alert and obviously happy with a clean sheet, but the action was at the other end. EPA
Luke Shaw 9 - Volleyed a Dalot cross towards goal after 24 in a fantastic spell. Tight into Son to stop him getting space. More touches of the ball – 110 – than any other. On it and playing well. EPA
Luke Shaw 9 - Volleyed a Dalot cross towards goal after 24 in a fantastic spell. Tight into Son to stop him getting space. More touches of the ball – 110 – than any other. On it and playing well. EPA
Raphael Varane 9 - Kane and Son, they said. Two of the best attackers in football. Varane looked utterly composed all night as he pushed high on to Son, bested Perisic and played areas rather than players and his partnership with Martinez is already a confident one. Clean sheet in the best Manchester United performance for years. Class. Getty
Raphael Varane 9 - Kane and Son, they said. Two of the best attackers in football. Varane looked utterly composed all night as he pushed high on to Son, bested Perisic and played areas rather than players and his partnership with Martinez is already a confident one. Clean sheet in the best Manchester United performance for years. Class. Getty
Lisandro Martinez 8 - Confident and pushed right up as United took it to Spurs. Straight on to Kane when he threatened. Touched a Kane shot which went wide on 49. And again to stop a dangerous Moura ball with ten minutes to play. AFP
Lisandro Martinez 8 - Confident and pushed right up as United took it to Spurs. Straight on to Kane when he threatened. Touched a Kane shot which went wide on 49. And again to stop a dangerous Moura ball with ten minutes to play. AFP
Diogo Dalot 8 - Pushed a ball away from Perisic to stop an early Spurs attack. At the other end, he crossed for Shaw to volley in United’s best first half of the season. Kane smashed the ball into him on 45 and he went down. So assured when he trapped a Kane cross. Reuters
Diogo Dalot 8 - Pushed a ball away from Perisic to stop an early Spurs attack. At the other end, he crossed for Shaw to volley in United’s best first half of the season. Kane smashed the ball into him on 45 and he went down. So assured when he trapped a Kane cross. Reuters
Casemiro 8 - Super strike which went wide after 28. One misplaced pass led to a rare Spurs attack on 45. Booked after 51 for a challenge. Read Son’s movement superbly. His celebration for Fernandes showed what it meant to him. Peerless positioning. PA
Casemiro 8 - Super strike which went wide after 28. One misplaced pass led to a rare Spurs attack on 45. Booked after 51 for a challenge. Read Son’s movement superbly. His celebration for Fernandes showed what it meant to him. Peerless positioning. PA
Fred 9 - Smart ball forward to Antony on six minutes and then had a shot tipped over 30 seconds later. Even better pass to Rashford on 20. Heavily fouled soon after as Spurs realised he was their biggest threat. His deflected shot put United ahead after 46. And what a celebration. Beautiful ball to Rashford on 58. Involved in the second. Six shots on target. Yes, you read that right. EPA
Fred 9 - Smart ball forward to Antony on six minutes and then had a shot tipped over 30 seconds later. Even better pass to Rashford on 20. Heavily fouled soon after as Spurs realised he was their biggest threat. His deflected shot put United ahead after 46. And what a celebration. Beautiful ball to Rashford on 58. Involved in the second. Six shots on target. Yes, you read that right. EPA
Bruno Fernandes 9 - His accurate 22nd minute free-kick was well saved by Lloris. Shot over after 26 minutes and integral to much of United’s attacking play. Got the second, and how he’s needed a goal. Put the ball in the net again but it was flagged offside. Nine key passes. No Spurs player had more than two. AFP
Bruno Fernandes 9 - His accurate 22nd minute free-kick was well saved by Lloris. Shot over after 26 minutes and integral to much of United’s attacking play. Got the second, and how he’s needed a goal. Put the ball in the net again but it was flagged offside. Nine key passes. No Spurs player had more than two. AFP
Antony 8 - Audacious attempt on goal after six minutes and he curled a shot which hit the post four minutes later. A danger on the right and continued to be so in the second period. Applauded off. AFP
Antony 8 - Audacious attempt on goal after six minutes and he curled a shot which hit the post four minutes later. A danger on the right and continued to be so in the second period. Applauded off. AFP
Jadon Sancho 8 - Not as involved as the other forwards until he teed Fernandes up after 25, but he was effective out of possession. Five key passes. Struggled to beat a man but playing in that team with that performance must lift his confidence. AP
Jadon Sancho 8 - Not as involved as the other forwards until he teed Fernandes up after 25, but he was effective out of possession. Five key passes. Struggled to beat a man but playing in that team with that performance must lift his confidence. AP
Marcus Rashford 8 - Shot saved by after Lloris after 20 – an excellent chance. A further shot was deflected towards Lloris three minutes later. Lively start to second half, a shot saved by Lloris on 47 and then another attack soon after. Looks sharp, fast and confident. Seven shots, three on target. A goal would be nice. Getty
Marcus Rashford 8 - Shot saved by after Lloris after 20 – an excellent chance. A further shot was deflected towards Lloris three minutes later. Lively start to second half, a shot saved by Lloris on 47 and then another attack soon after. Looks sharp, fast and confident. Seven shots, three on target. A goal would be nice. Getty
Scott McTominay 7 - On for Antony after 75 with United at 2-0 and needed to see the game out. Reuters
Scott McTominay 7 - On for Antony after 75 with United at 2-0 and needed to see the game out. Reuters
Anthony Elanga N/A - On for Sancho after 86. Serenaded in song by the fans. Getty
Anthony Elanga N/A - On for Sancho after 86. Serenaded in song by the fans. Getty
Christian Eriksen N/A - On for Elanga after 86. The fear was that he’d be missed, but his teammates did fine without him. EPA
Christian Eriksen N/A - On for Elanga after 86. The fear was that he’d be missed, but his teammates did fine without him. EPA
TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris 8 – After a shaky start, making a mess of Antony’s shot within the first six minutes, the goalkeeper made several impressive stops to keep Rashford off the scoresheet. A busy evening for the Frenchman, who had little chance with the two goals. AFP
TOTTENHAM RATINGS: Hugo Lloris 8 – After a shaky start, making a mess of Antony’s shot within the first six minutes, the goalkeeper made several impressive stops to keep Rashford off the scoresheet. A busy evening for the Frenchman, who had little chance with the two goals. AFP
Cristian Romero 4 – Not a convincing defensive performance. Clattered into Fred to concede a free kick in a dangerous position, but Lloris matched Fernandes’ effort from the set-piece in the first half. EPA
Cristian Romero 4 – Not a convincing defensive performance. Clattered into Fred to concede a free kick in a dangerous position, but Lloris matched Fernandes’ effort from the set-piece in the first half. EPA
Eric Dier 6 – Made some important interventions, including a painful block with his face, but at fault for losing possession before Fred’s goal. Getty
Eric Dier 6 – Made some important interventions, including a painful block with his face, but at fault for losing possession before Fred’s goal. Getty
Ben Davies 5 – An attempted block deflected Fred’s strike into his own net, leaving Lloris stranded as his side conceded just after the break. AFP
Ben Davies 5 – An attempted block deflected Fred’s strike into his own net, leaving Lloris stranded as his side conceded just after the break. AFP
Matt Doherty 6 – An average display as the right-back was pinned into his own half after the break. EPA
Matt Doherty 6 – An average display as the right-back was pinned into his own half after the break. EPA
Rodrigo Bentancur 5 – After sending an early effort wide, the midfielder was sloppy in possession and was replaced by Skipp in the closing minutes. EPA
Rodrigo Bentancur 5 – After sending an early effort wide, the midfielder was sloppy in possession and was replaced by Skipp in the closing minutes. EPA
Yves Bissouma 4 – A rusty performance in his return to the side, with the midfielder losing track of Fernandes in the build-up to the second goal. AP
Yves Bissouma 4 – A rusty performance in his return to the side, with the midfielder losing track of Fernandes in the build-up to the second goal. AP
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 5 – Looked overrun in the midfield and the Dane was often wasteful on the ball. AFP
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg 5 – Looked overrun in the midfield and the Dane was often wasteful on the ball. AFP
Ivan Perisic 6 – Ventured forward on the left but often lacked the final ball. A heavy touch inside the box squandered a good opportunity in the first half. Substituted in the final stages. AFP
Ivan Perisic 6 – Ventured forward on the left but often lacked the final ball. A heavy touch inside the box squandered a good opportunity in the first half. Substituted in the final stages. AFP
Harry Kane 7 – Showcased his range of passing with a pinpoint cross-field pass to Doherty in the first half. Had two shots saved by De Gea. Getty
Harry Kane 7 – Showcased his range of passing with a pinpoint cross-field pass to Doherty in the first half. Had two shots saved by De Gea. Getty
Son Heung-min 5 – A quiet night for the South Korean who could only fire high and wide from distance in his only sight of goal. Getty
Son Heung-min 5 – A quiet night for the South Korean who could only fire high and wide from distance in his only sight of goal. Getty
SUBS: Davinson Sanchez (Bissouma, 82) – N/A. AP
SUBS: Davinson Sanchez (Bissouma, 82) – N/A. AP
Ryan Sessegnon (Dier, 82) – N/A. Getty
Ryan Sessegnon (Dier, 82) – N/A. Getty
Lucas Moura (Doherty, 82) – N/A. Reuters
Lucas Moura (Doherty, 82) – N/A. Reuters
Oliver Skipp (Bentancur, 89) – N/A. Djed Spence (Perisic, 89) – N/A. Getty
Oliver Skipp (Bentancur, 89) – N/A. Djed Spence (Perisic, 89) – N/A. Getty

Ronaldo, a five-time Champions League winner with Real and United, has started only two Premier League games this season, also making six substitute appearances and scoring only one goal.

He also has four Europa League starts and one goal in the second tier competition he was so keen to avoid after United finished outside the Premier League's top four last term.

Since rejoining United from Juventus in 2021, Ronaldo has been a shadow of the figure who starred in his first stint at the club from 2003 to 2009.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner did finish as United's top-scorer last season with 24 goals, but he never appeared settled, clashing with former bosses Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then Ralf Rangnick.

The final straw came when Ten Hag sent on Christian Eriksen and Anthony Elanga ahead of Ronaldo in the 87th minute against Tottenham.

United still had two substitutions remaining when Ronaldo stormed off.

Ten Hag's decision to drop him from the Chelsea game underlines how he viewed Ronaldo's show of petulance and potentially started a countdown to the end of his time at Old Trafford.

Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

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UAE-Russia ties stretch back 48 years

Trade between the UAE and Russia reached Dh12.5 bn in 2018

More than 3,000 Russian companies are registered in the UAE

Around 40,000 Russians live in the UAE

The number of Russian tourists travelling to the UAE will increase to 12 percent to reach 1.6 million in 2023

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Isabel Affley – goalkeeper / goal defence (Dubai English Speaking College)

Jemma Eley – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)

Alana Farrell-Morton – centre / wing / defence / wing attack (Nord Anglia International School)

Molly Fuller – goal attack / wing attack (Dubai College)

Caitlin Gowdy – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai English Speaking College)

Noorulain Hussain – goal defence / wing defence (Dubai College)

Zahra Hussain-Gillani – goal defence / goalkeeper (British School Al Khubairat)

Claire Janssen – goal shooter / goal attack (Jumeriah English Speaking School)         

Eliza Petricola – wing attack / centre (Dubai English Speaking College)

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Who inspires you?

I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist

How do you relax?

Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.

What is favourite book?

The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times

What is your favourite Arabic film?

Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki

What is favourite English film?

Mamma Mia

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Ox:diligent, perseverent, conservative
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Sheep:easy-going, peacemaker, curious
Monkey:family-orientated, clever, playful
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